Footwear Watch: Louis Vuitton, Dries Van Noten

At Louis Vuitton, Paul Helbers reworked the line's staple lace-ups (above) with color (taxi-cab yellow, dusky blue) and texture. On one hand, there were nods to function, and the season's inspiration, with rubber heel shanks. On another, sequins—eye-catching on the runway, but hard to imagine on a bike messenger.

At Dries Van Noten, the designer tinkered with the classics, too (below). Chelsea boot-style elastic panels were added to cap-toes—not for the first time, but hey, if it ain't broke... Ethnic prints and woven leather detailing embellished lace-ups. All had a worldly sophistication that's hard to resist.

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